Blurb(GR):The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...

Review:

The Hollows are back…and so am I! (I hope.) What better way to kick off my reviewing dust than to write about a series I’ve loved for almost a decade? Even though I was mostly disappointed last January by the slow-moving rehash of old events that was A Perfect Blood, I knew that this author wouldn’t hold still for long. This series, which now encompasses eleven books and will end at book thirteen (Thanks Megan!) never ceases to be inventive and surprising. This book sees Rachel & Co. moving forward once again. Trouble is afoot in the ever after as Ceri and baby Lucy are kidnapped in the opening chapters and Rachel’s ley line suddenly starts draining the ever after at an alarming rate. The demons find it more convenient to blame Rachel, even though they all know that lab-created demon monstrosity Ku’Sox (aka Cute Socks) is to blame. In an effort to save the day for everyone once again, Rachel finds herself working more closely with Trent and the elves than she ever has before. This is the installment that the Rachel/Trent fans have been waiting for. Harrison has been flirting with the idea of them as a couple for quite a while, and in this book I felt like she finally jumped off that cliff. I’m still not sure if I will be able to buy into their relationship as a long term thing. Harrison has certainly laid a lot of ground work over the past books, but a huge part of me will probably never be able to stop seeing Trent as the spoiled, arrogant rich pretty boy he was in the first book. (He also made a comment at the end of this book that really turned me off. It's pretty spoilery but I'll discuss in the comments if anyone's interested.) However, it’s refreshing to look back and realize just how much he (and Al and Rachel and Ivy and well…everyone) has changed. This series never stagnates for me because Harrison lets her characters grow. After reading this book, I now feel like while A Perfect Blood may have been slow and tedious to read; it was ultimately a necessary step in the series. Rachel is more at home with her demon identity than ever, and it’s exciting to see her finally accept and use her powers to their fullest extent, without endless angst about the consequences. Harrison grows her characters slowly but surely – in short, realistically. Perhaps that means that one or two of these books has been more like a “transition” book but I think the end result is a much more fulfilling, believable story. I have faith that she'll make me believe in Trent by book thirteen.

(As an aside – Harrison’s short story, Trouble on Reserve, available for free with download of the Sony Reader App – went a long way toward convincing me of Trent’s worthiness and feelings for Rachel.) As an extra today, I’d like to pay homage to one of my favorite posts of Flannery’s by listing “50 things very nearly guaranteed to happen” in a Hollows book. Like Flannery, I write these very much in good humor as a super-fan of Kim Harrison and her Hollows books. Yes, there is a certain formula to these books but what impresses me the most is how much Harrison frequently tosses that formula out the window.

50 Things Very Nearly Guaranteed to Happen in a Hollows Book

The remodeled kitchen is described in loving detail, including the spelling pots that hang from the ceiling.

Homemade cookies are made. The pixies warm themselves in the kitchen.

Rachel petulantly refuses to work for Trent, but then ends up doing it anyway.

The pixie children get up to all kinds of shenanigans (extra annoyance if it’s winter time).

Rachel worries about Jenks being too cold/freezing to death and then describes his inventive winter Pixie clothes.

Rachel’s freckles are hidden magically (first by her ring and then later by successive demon curses).

Rachel will feel guilty for anything and everything even slightly related to her. She apologizes to anyone and everyone, and then feels guilty for apologizing too much.

The splat gun’s red appearance, spelled balls, and the fact that Rachel doesn’t need a permit to use it are explained, along with a few safety tips for its use.

“Helllooooo…Nick!!”

“Crap for brains.”

Nick DOESN’T die. AGAIN. FOR GOD’S SAKE JUST DIE NICK!! DIEE!!!!

Ivy crushes on David, much to his discomfort.

Rachel has a sneezing attack that turns into a conversation with Al.

Al’s green crushed velvet suit, blocky teeth, goat-slitted eyes, and British accent are all described in detail.

“Rachel Mariana Morgan…my Itchy Witch.”

Rachel and/or Trent reminisce about being at camp.

Rachel notices how attractive Trent is, what he’s wearing, how sexy his voice is, and how impressive he occasionally is (more frequently as the series has progressed) but then insists that there isn’t, and can never be, anything between them.

Wow, how have I never heard of this series? It sounds like something I'd love and I definitely need to pick it up soon now. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Catie! I'm so glad you've enjoyed it so much and it sounds fantastic! :D

Yeah, this series is great! I've noticed that it's a bit of a love/hate for most people though. I've been reading this series for so long that I can't really be objective about it or its characters anymore but I think the first book is pretty average. After that, the story really picks up and things just get twistier and twistier. I'm so excited to see how she's going to end it all. If you give them a chance, I'll look forward to your thoughts (good or bad!).

Reply

Dana Weiczman

12/11/2013 04:09:51 am

Start with Dead Witch Walking, the first book, and if you love it, you are in for lots of fun!

I've been slowly working my way through these this past year. Basically, when I want a quick, fun book that I am almost certain to enjoy I will download the next one. I'm on Black Magic Sanction now (and trying to save it for this weekend), so I skipped the review part pf this post ~ no need to spoil it when it is only 4 books away! HOWEVER, I read the "50 Things Very Nearly Guaranteed to Happen in a Hollows Book." Oh, my goodness, yes! So, I guess that means that things don't get any better with Ivy? That particular relationship often bothers me because I am never quite sure what Harrison is trying to say there. And, yes!, seriously, can Nick PLEASE just die already?!

I looove the audios for this series too. I read these way back when on my first time through but since then I've done a few re-reads via audiobook and they always make me so happy. I always find myself grinning stupidly while listening to these. BMS is pretty good but Pale Demon is my FAVORITE. I think it's the best book in the series so far - Rachel, Trent, and Jenks on a ROAD TRIP plus a heist and a little payback for NicK.

Sadly, Nick still isn't dead. Grrr. And the relationship with Ivy definitely has development/closure. I don't think Harrison is going down that road anymore with them, which sucks because I was a huge fan and I still think that Ivy has been the most constant, supportive person in her life. I have no idea why Rachel would choose someone else.

Yeah, I've been really hoping for an Ivy/Rachel relationship. I think EVERYONE, including Rachel, would be if Ivy were a man. I am glad to hear that there is some closure, because I hate how Rachel seems to lead Ivy on all the time.

Also, YAY! for the road trip and Jenk's obvious survival. I really didn't want him to die, though I'm interested in finding out how Harrison pulls that off.

I am hearing so many amazing things about this series lately I feel kind of ashamed that I haven't been reading it! I'm definitely going to come back and re-read this list when I have a few books under my belt to get the full effect. My favorites, of course having no context whatsoever, are "Rhombus!" and "Vampire pheremones run amok."

And I have no idea who Nick is, but he clearly needs to just die already. :-)

I hope you enjoy them Lauren! And yes, Nick needed to die about five books ago. I wonder why Harrison is keeping him around. I bet she has a reason...she's planned out this whole series. She definitely hasn't hesitated to kill off other characters....

Anyway, I got sidetracked there. Yes, do come back when you've read a few!

Reply

Maja

2/8/2013 02:11:30 am

Haha, I finished the second book just over a week ago, but already I found pretty much everything on your list. Not the demons, there are no demons yet. I AM already a Trent fan.. you know how I am, write a jerk and I'll fall for him every time :D
I'm still not that into the series, but I'm trying hard, and I have it on audio so that pretty much guarantees I'll keep reading/listening.

Maja!! I missed you terribly! I'll be interested in your ultimate opinion on this series of course. You are the expert in UF, for sure. I admit that this is just one of those series that I can't be objective about. We have too much history!

Has Algaliarept (aka, Al) not shown up yet? Once he comes into the picture, he'll be your new favorite "man." I just know it. He will blow Trent out of the water for you.

Okay so I've been a proponent of Trent/Rachel since like forever because I could totally see Harrison hinting at it - in Rachel's observations about Trent's yumminess, her awareness of him and I think in the last book, about his willingness to let her be a girl instead of someone cossetted. So yay. I can't wait to read this one - the last one was a bit slow and not as awesome as the one before it but I have hope and there is Jenks!

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Cody B

2/23/2013 12:45:48 pm

SPoilers!!!!!!!!!

I thought this was a very good entry in the series. I would of given Ku Sox a harsher send off however, make it more personal. I agree Nick needs to die, I assume he has a certain key role to play before his demise though.
Rachel has been in so many relationships I've felt different about each one. I like Al alot I think Harrison is doing a great job with Rachel and him, since those two being intimate would never happen. The mutual respect and what not make me satisfied with it.
I think the series was always supposed to end with Rachel and Ivy together, but Harrison seemed to call an audible somewhere around the road trip. Trent has always been around and while their interactions haven't always been consistent, I believe they will end up together and I support it fully.
While I think Kim nixed the romance with ivy, my guess is the series wraps up focusing on Rachel saving Ivys soul. I figure next book will deal with the men who don't belong, and the final book will be Rachel finding a way to save Ivy's soul..of course alot more craziness will be involved too.
As for Ever After, it is my favorite Hallows novel in quite some time. I would love to discuss how everyone felt about pierce and ceri dying!! I never liked Pierce, but I spent the whole time disbelieving Ceri was truly dead. I understand Ku Sox had to do something horrible, but I feel like Pierce would of been enough. Especially since he outlived his usefulness.
Sorry for the long post, I googled for discussions on this book and this is first I came to.